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AZ-204 Practice Question: Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.
```json
{
  "properties": {
    "description": "Allow access to storage account from specific virtual network",
    "policyRule": {
      "if": {
        "field": "type",
        "equals": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts"
      },
      "then": {
        "effect": "deny",
        "details": {
          "networkAcls": {
            "defaultAction": "Deny",
            "virtualNetworkRules": [
              {
                "id": "/subscriptions/sub-id/resourceGroups/rg/providers/Microsoft.Network/virtualNetworks/vnet1",
                "action": "Allow"
              }
            ]
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

You are reviewing an Azure Policy definition that applies to storage accounts. The policy has an effect of 'deny' and specifies network ACLs. What is the intended behavior of this policy?

⚠ Common exam trap

Many exam-takers confuse the 'deny' effect on resource creation with network-level traffic denial, not realizing that Azure Policy controls resource configuration compliance, not runtime traffic flow.

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

Deny creation of storage accounts that do not have a virtual network rule allowing vnet1 and default action set to Deny

The Azure Policy definition with effect 'deny' and network ACL conditions will block the creation of any storage account that does not include a virtual network rule allowing 'vnet1' and does not have the default action set to 'Deny'. This ensures that only storage accounts with the specified network restrictions are permitted, enforcing a security baseline that denies all traffic except from the allowed virtual network.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • Allow all storage accounts to be created regardless of network rules

    Why it's wrong here

    This option is incorrect because Azure Policy definitions with a 'Deny' effect explicitly prevent resource creation or update if the specified conditions are not met. The policy's purpose is to enforce specific network rules, such as requiring a virtual network rule and a 'Deny' default action, rather than allowing all storage accounts to be created indiscriminately. Therefore, it actively restricts non-compliant deployments, directly contradicting the idea of allowing all storage accounts.

  • Deny all traffic to storage accounts

    Why it's wrong here

    This option is incorrect because Azure Policy operates at the control plane level, governing resource deployment and configuration changes (create, update, delete). It does not directly control data plane operations like network traffic flow to or from a storage account. Network traffic management, such as denying all traffic, is handled by data plane controls like Network Security Groups (NSGs) or the storage account's own firewall rules, not by a policy enforcing resource configuration during creation.

  • Deny creation of storage accounts that do not have a virtual network rule allowing vnet1 and default action set to Deny

    Why this is correct

    This option is correct because the policy's 'Deny' effect, combined with its conditions, prevents the deployment of any new storage account that does not meet the specified network access requirements. Specifically, it ensures that a storage account must have a virtual network rule allowing access from 'vnet1' and that its default network action is set to 'Deny', thereby blocking all other traffic by default. This enforces a secure network posture at the time of resource provisioning.

  • Allow only traffic from the specified virtual network

    Why it's wrong here

    This option is incorrect because Azure Policy, with a 'Deny' effect, prevents the creation of non-compliant resources; it does not directly manage or 'allow' network traffic. While the policy's intent is to ensure that the *configured* storage account will only allow traffic from the specified virtual network, the policy itself acts as a gatekeeper for resource deployment. It enforces the necessary configuration that subsequently allows traffic, rather than performing the traffic allowance itself.

Visual reference

Source Router + ACL permit 10.0.0.0/8 deny any Server 10.0.0.5 ✓ 192.168.1.1 ✗ dropped ACLs evaluate top-down; first match wins — implicit deny all at end

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JA

Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security

Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva

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